Tidbites | Week of July 4, 2013

The fourth in the mountainsColorado’s resort towns have lined up a long list of events for the July 4 weekend, including music, yoga, fireworks and food and drink.

A full rundown of events is available at blog.coloradoski.com, but the highlights include the second annual Arapahoe Basin Trail Run with barbecue at the finish; the Wanderlust yoga and music festival at Copper Mountain; the 45th annual Gothic to Crested Butte third-of-a-marathon — that’s about 8.7 miles — on July 4, followed by the fourth annual Bluegrass in Paradise festival July 6-7; the Run for Independence at Winter Park July 6, which benefits The Children’s Hospital of Colorado; and The Village Uncorked wine and art festival at Winter Park.

A new Project on the HillA brand-new pizza chain is coming to Boulder’s University Hill by the end of the month, bringing with it a menu that emphasizes variety and vegetarian options. Project Pie, which has locations in San Diego, Calif., and Las Vegas, is a fast-casual concept with a “charming” atmosphere, a press release says.

Project Pie’s big draw, according to the press release, is an assembly-line setup for build-your-own pizzas. Diners can select unlimited toppings for a set price and have their pizza in two minutes from the 800-degree oven. The toppings list includes five cheeses and a wide range of vegetables and meats.

Founder James Markham, who previously started and sold pizza chains on the West Coast and in Asia, says Project Pie will soon open locations in New York; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; Indianapolis and the Philippines.

The Boulder franchise will be located at 1155 13th St. on the Hill.

No, that 1 ain’t a typoAvery has announced the return of the Uncle Jacob’s Stout, one of its popular dark beers, for a limited release in its taproom. The beer will be available in the Avery taproom on Arapahoe Avenue on July 7.

Aged in bourbon barrels for six months, Uncle Jacob’s has a long list of detectable notes, Avery spokesman Darin McGregor says in a press release.

“After four weeks of fermenting with an English ale yeast and six months resting in the oak barrels,” McGregor says, “the brew boasts flavors of toffee, caramel, vanilla and hints of coconut from the Bourbon barrels, as well as dried currants and cherries.”

Uncle Jacob’s is among Boulder’s highest ABV beers, clocking in at 16.5 percent. It will be available in 12-ounce bottles for $12 each at Avery’s taproom, and any remaining beers will be shipped to “select retailers in Colorado,” spokesman Joe Osborne says, although there’s no guarantee of availability.

On the topic of Avery, the brewery has announced tickets are on sale for its 20-year anniversary party, which will take place Aug. 4 at the brewery’s taproom at 5757 Arapahoe Ave. in Boulder.

A press release promises “rare and vintage beers” from Avery’s cellar, as well as pouring stations to represent Avery’s annual festivals, SourFest, IPA Fest and Strong Ale Fest. Tickets are $40 and are available at the Avery taproom or online at averyanniversary.eventbrite.com.

Smashing, old boyOne of Denver’s favorite dining sons, fast-casual burger joint Smashburger, has announced the opening of its first restaurant in Longmont, its 21st Colorado location. The restaurant is located at 965 S. Hover St. in Longmont, just south of Nelson Road. It is open now.

Smashburger also has locations in the Twenty Ninth Street mall and in Lafayette at Arapahoe Road and North 95th Street.